The USS Duane was a U.S. Coast Guard cutter that served from 1936 to 1985. Some key details about the Duane:The Duane was one of seven “Treasury-Class” cutters named after prominent U.S. Secretaries of the Treasury. She was built in 1936 at the U.S. Naval Yard in Philadelphia and was 327 feet long.

Article at a Glance

• Location: 1 mile south of Molasses Reef, Key Largo, Florida (24°59.38’N 80°22.92’W)
• Depth: 120 feet, upright on sandy bottom
• History: U.S. Coast Guard cutter (1936-1985), intentionally sunk in 1987 as artificial reef
• Dive Level: Advanced, requires wreck and deep diving certifications
• Marine Life: Abundant, including reef fish, sharks, groupers, and colorful corals
• Key Features: Intact hull, superstructure, WWII modifications visible
• Best Dive Shops: Rainbow Reef Dive Center and Florida Keys Dive Center highly recommended

USS Duane Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The Duane was intentionally sunk in 1987 to serve as an artificial reef after being decommissioned from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1985. She is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Shipwreck Trail. The wreck sits upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of 120 feet.

Location Coordinates

The USS Duane shipwreck is located one mile south of Molasses Reef off Key Largo, Florida at the coordinates 24°59.38’N 80°22.92’W. 

What to Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

1. Easy Dive: One diver described the dive as “easy” with no current at ship depth, and they enjoyed 80 feet of visibility.
2. Memorable Dive: Another diver mentioned that diving the Duane was one of their most memorable dives, citing both the wreck itself and the experience.
3. Advanced Diver Recommended: The Indiana University Underwater Science program recommends the dive for advanced divers, particularly those with wreck diving experience, as vessel penetration is involved.
4. Shark Sightings: A YouTube video about the Duane wreck dive mentions shark sightings, indicating that divers may encounter marine life during the dive4.
5. Friendly Professional Support: Divers have praised the professional support and smooth booking process for diving the Duane wreck, making it a great dive spot.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

1. Reef Fish: The wreck is teeming with schools of fish of all sizes, including barracuda, jacks, grunts, snappers, and hogfish. 
2. Sharks: Divers may spot nurse, bull, and whale sharks around the wreck. 
3. Groupers: Large goliath groupers are commonly seen at the Duane wreck site. 
4. Turtles: Sea turtles are among the marine creatures commonly observed at the Duane wreck. 
5. Corals and Sponges: The wreck is heavily encrusted with colorful corals, sponges, and gorgonians, which have grown on the ship over the decades since it was sunk. 
6. Other Marine Life: The Duane has become a successful artificial reef, attracting a diverse array of marine life that has been introduced to the site, including species that previously lived further inshore. 

Key Information

What Makes The USS Duane a Unique Diving Experience

1. Historic Significance: The Duane was a U.S. Coast Guard cutter that served from 1936 to 1985, including during World War II when it sank a German U-boat and rescued hundreds of survivors. Diving on this historic vessel provides a sense of connection to its storied past.
2. Impressive Size and Condition: At 327 feet long, the Duane is a massive shipwreck that sits upright on the seafloor in remarkably intact condition. Divers can explore the ship’s decks, rigging, and interior spaces, creating a sense of awe and adventure.
3. Diverse Marine Life: The Duane has become a thriving artificial reef, attracting a wide variety of marine life including schools of tropical fish, large groupers, barracudas, sharks, and more. Divers can observe the vibrant ecosystem that has developed on and around the wreck.
4. Challenging Dive Site: The Duane sits at depths ranging from 60 to 110 feet, making it an advanced dive site. Divers must have proper training and experience, including wreck diving and deep diving certifications, to safely navigate the wreck and its strong currents.
5. Emotional Connection: For some divers, the Duane evokes a sense of emotional connection, whether it’s imagining the human lives that once played out on the ship or overcoming personal fears and challenges during the dive. The wreck can provide a profound and memorable diving experience.

What is The Full History of This Ship

The USS Duane had a long and distinguished history spanning nearly 50 years of service:The Duane was one of seven 327-foot long Treasury Class cutters built in 1936 at the U.S. Naval Yard in Philadelphia. She was named after William J. Duane, Secretary of the Treasury under Andrew Jackson.

After fitting out, the Duane departed Philadelphia in October 1936 and was assigned to temporary duty in Honolulu, participating in U.S. colonization efforts in the Pacific. She then returned to her permanent homeport of Oakland in February 1937.

Over the next few years, the Duane joined the Bering Sea Patrol Force for annual cruises. In September 1939, she was assigned to neutrality patrols along the Grand Banks off the east coast of Canada, arriving at her new homeport of Boston.During World War II, the Duane was reassigned to weather patrols in the mid-Atlantic, conducted a survey of Greenland’s west coast, and was rearmed with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons.

On April 17, 1943, the Duane and her sister ship Spencer sank the German U-boat U-77.

The Duane continued convoy escort duty in the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1941, she was the first vessel to initiate an ocean weather station in the Atlantic east of Bermuda. Over her career, the Duane participated in four rescues at sea, picking up a total of 346 survivors.

After the war, the Duane served in the ocean weather station program. In 1980, she escorted vessels carrying thousands of Cuban refugees to the U.S. Her last assignments included search and rescue and drug enforcement.

The Duane was decommissioned on August 1, 1985 as the oldest active U.S. military vessel after nearly 50 years of service. She was then donated to the Keys Association of Dive Operators and intentionally sunk in 1987 to serve as an artificial reef off Key Largo, Florida.

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on The USS Duane Wreck

1. Intact Hull and Superstructure: The Duane sits upright on the seafloor in remarkably intact condition. Divers can see the outline of the hull, as well as the mast, crow’s nest, navigating bridge, and superstructure deck .
2. Original Equipment: The wreck still retains many of the Duane’s original features, including the rudders, propellers, railings, ladders, and portholes, all in excellent condition .
3. Wartime Modifications: During World War II, the Duane was rearmed with anti-aircraft and anti-submarine weapons. Traces of these modifications may still be visible on the wreck .
4. Wartime History: Divers can imagine the Duane’s wartime service, including her role in sinking the German U-boat U-77 and rescuing hundreds of survivors from torpedoed convoy ships .
5. Peacetime Missions: The wreck also serves as a reminder of the Duane’s peacetime missions, such as her participation in the ocean weather station program and her role in escorting Cuban refugees to the U.S. in 1980 .
6. Historic Significance: As one of the seven Treasury-Class cutters named after prominent U.S. Secretaries of the Treasury, the Duane has significant historical value that is preserved through the wreck site .

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting the USS Duane

1. Mooring System: The wreck is equipped with a mooring system that allows divers to descend and ascend safely. This system helps to prevent damage to the wreck and reduces the risk of entanglement or getting lost.
2. Guided Dives: Many dive operators offer guided dives to the USS Duane, which helps to ensure that divers are properly briefed and accompanied during the dive. Guides can provide valuable insights into the wreck’s history and help divers navigate the site safely.
3. Advanced Diver Certification: The USS Duane is recommended for advanced divers with wreck diving and deep diving certifications. This ensures that divers have the necessary skills and experience to handle the challenges of the dive site.
4. Ascent and Descent Lines: Divers are advised to use ascent and descent lines to manage their buoyancy and avoid getting caught in strong currents. This is particularly important given the wreck’s depth and the Gulf Stream currents in the area.
5. Regular Maintenance: The wreck is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that it remains safe for divers. This includes monitoring the structural integrity of the wreck and addressing any hazards that may arise.
6. Dive Briefings: Before diving the USS Duane, divers receive detailed briefings on the wreck’s layout, hazards, and safety procedures. This helps to prepare them for the dive and minimize the risk of accidents.
7. Safety Equipment: Divers are required to carry safety equipment such as dive computers, depth gauges, and emergency signaling devices. This ensures that they are prepared for any unexpected situations that may arise during the dive.

Dive Shops That Provide Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. Rainbow Reef Dive Center (Boats): This dive operator is highly rated, with 4.5 stars from 824 reviews. They are located right in Key Largo and specifically mention offering dives to the USS Duane wreck site.
2. Florida Keys Dive Center: With a 4.6 star rating from 218 reviews, this dive shop is another top option in the area. Their website has detailed information about diving the Duane, including the wreck’s history and depth.
3. Islamorada Dive Center: Located a bit further south in Islamorada, this dive center has excellent reviews (4.8 stars from 373 reviews) and likely offers trips to the Duane as part of their dive site offerings.
4. Sail Fish Scuba: This Key Largo-based dive shop has an outstanding 4.9 star rating from 370 reviews, indicating they provide a high-quality diving experience, potentially including the USS Duane.

The Keys Wrecks

• USS Duane
• USS Spiegel Grove
• Thunderbolt
• City of Washington
• SS Benwood
• USNS Vandenberg
• Joes Tug
• Cayman Salvage Master